English: When the first stages of Lennon's Broadbeach Hotel were being planned, there were virtually no houses within at least a mile of the site. The area which eventually became the site of the Oasis Shopping Centre and Grand Mercure, was surrounded by stretches of sand dunes and unsealed roads. The hotel was built in an area that had been previously mined for mineral sands and when finally complete and landscaped, was frequently referred to as an oasis in a desert.

The earlier stages of the building, including a bar and beer garden, were opened by the Premier of Queensland Vince Gair in 1955. Construction of the hotel block was completed on 6 December 1956 and its official opening also by the Premier the following day. Designed by architect Karl Langer, the five storey hotel was the tallest building on the Gold Coast until the construction of the ten storey Kinkabool in Surfers Paradise during 1959-1960.

Lennon's Broadbeach was built with luxury in mind with two public bars, one private bar, Queenland's largest private swimming pool, tennis court, landscaped gardens and 100 accommodation units. To emphasise the prestige and formality of the venue, a concierge in full formal morning coat attire complete with handlebar moustache would greet guests. Despite its prominence in the landscape, proximity to the beach and role as a venue for international conventions, the hotel was not a financial success and changed hands a number of times in its early years.

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Digital Image ID 662